‘TEXAS’ begins summer run for 47th season

By NICKI BRUCE LOGAN Herald Lifestyles Editor

Published 9:04 am, Saturday, June 2, 2012

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A photo of a cowboy racing across the rim of Palo Duro Canyon holding a Texas flag and resting on a faded United States flag reflects the patriotic emphasis of this summer’s production of “TEXAS” musical drama.

Note: Traveling Texas is an occasional series featuring Texas destinations.

The story line may be just a little bit corny, but the musical drama “TEXAS,” which is staged in Palo Duro Canyon during the summer months, is a tradition both for tourists and area residents who make a point of attending the drama each year.

“TEXAS” was written to be performed in the Palo Duro Canyon amphitheater which opened in 1962 with the production of a western show, “Fandangle.” “TEXAS” was staged for the first time in 1966.

The drama, written by playwright and author Paul Green in the early 1960s, was a hit from the first production and exceeded attendance records year after year until popularity waned in the late 1990s, leading to a rewrite to make it more historically correct. In 2003, a new script, known as “Texas Legacies,” was introduced and ran through 2005 without much success. “Legacies” also was staged at the historic Fair Theatre in Plainview in an effort to expand the show’s outreach and build the audience.

To longtime supporters and fans’ relief, the original “TEXAS,” with a few updates, was brought back in 2006 by popular demand.

“I don’t know about the story line, but the background can’t be topped,” says Nicole Russell of Hale Center, who tries to take relatives and visitors to the show every summer. “Even the kids enjoy the show and the chuck wagon dinner. A night at “TEXAS” is the perfect family getaway.”

She’s talking about the spectacular scenery that forms the backdrop for the stage set in Palo Duro Canyon.

That and the rousing feel-good music and dancing coupled with patriotic scenes leave visitors with a feeling of pride in their country as well as the enjoyment of a historic play in an outdoor setting under the stars.

Everyone seems to have a favorite part of the show. While some prefer the realistic thunder and lightning scenes or the fireworks display, patriotic Texans get a lump in their throats when the “rider on the rim,” a cowboy mounted on a white horse, Texas flag in hand, rides across the rim at full speed — five-feet from the edge of the 800-foot cliff side.

Cast members include Anastasia Teel of Nashville, Tenn., as Elsie McLean, the prairie ingenue, and a Georgian, Levi Penley, as Calvin Armstrong, the leading man. Jefferson Carson, also from Georgia, plays Dave, Calvin’s rival. Jenna Meador, from Henrietta, is Parmlee Flynn. Dave Yirak is artistic director.

About 175 cast and crew put on the show Tuesdays through Sundays through Aug. 18.

A new addition last year, and guaranteed to wow the audience this year, is a water show featuring dancing jets of water and an LED light show.

Another favorite spectacle that will return is the fireworks that were stopped last year due to the burn ban in the area.

A chuck wagon dinner, catered by Feldman’s in Canyon, is served from 6-8 p.m. Prices are $14.95 for adults and $7.42 for children 12 and under.

Seating in the theater begins at 7:45 p.m. and the show starts at 8:30 p.m.

Ticket prices range from $15.95 to $29.95 for adults and $11.95 5o $25.95 for children 12 and under, depending on the seating preferred. Senior citizens (60 and up), students and those serving in the military receive discounts of $2. Groups of 15 or more receive a 15 percent discount.